Diesel exhaust inhalation increases thrombus formation in man.
OBJECTIVE
Although the mechanism is unclear, exposure to traffic-derived air pollution is a trigger for acute myocardial infarction (MI). The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of diesel exhaust inhalation on platelet activation and thrombus formation in men.


RESULTS
In a double-blind randomized crossover study, 20 healthy volunteers were exposed to dilute diesel exhaust (350 microg/m(3)) and filtered air. Thrombus formation, coagulation, platelet activation, and inflammatory markers were measured at 2 and 6 h following exposure. Thrombus formation was measured using the Badimon ex vivo perfusion chamber. Platelet activation was assessed by flow cytometry. Compared with filtered air, diesel exhaust inhalation increased thrombus formation under low- and high-shear conditions by 24% [change in thrombus area 2229 microm(2), 95% confidence interval (CI) 1143-3315 microm(2), P = 0.0002] and 19% (change in thrombus area 2451 microm(2), 95% CI 1190-3712 microm(2), P = 0.0005), respectively. This increased thrombogenicity was seen at 2 and 6 h, using two different diesel engines and fuels. Diesel exhaust also increased platelet-neutrophil and platelet-monocyte aggregates by 52% (absolute change 6%, 95% CI 2-10%, P = 0.01) and 30% (absolute change 3%, 95% CI 0.2-7%, P = 0.03), respectively, at 2 h following exposure compared with filtered air.


CONCLUSIONS
Inhalation of diesel exhaust increases ex vivo thrombus formation and causes in vivo platelet activation in man. These findings provide a potential mechanism linking exposure to combustion-derived air pollution with the triggering of acute MI.
Lucking
Andrew J
AJ
Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. andrew.lucking@btinternet.com
Lundback
Magnus
M
Mills
Nicholas L
NL
Faratian
Dana
D
Barath
Stefan L
SL
Pourazar
Jamshid
J
Cassee
Flemming R
FR
Donaldson
Kenneth
K
Boon
Nicholas A
NA
Badimon
Juan J
JJ
Sandstrom
Thomas
T
Blomberg
Anders
A
Newby
David E
DE
D000328:Adult; D035843:Biomedical Research; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D052638:Particulate Matter; D015539:Platelet Activation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000633:toxicity*; D055815:Young Adult
D052638:Particulate Matter; D001335:Vehicle Emissions